PRESS RELEASE: Tour Guides Australia deliver fifteen Tour Guiding Fundamentals Courses addressing industry shortages
Tour Guides Australia, the peak industry body representing tour guides nationwide, is proud to announce the outstanding results achieved in 2024 with its signature training course, Tour Guiding Fundamentals. These courses are pivotal in addressing Australia’s growing shortage of skilled and qualified tour guides.
The Tour Guiding Fundamentals courses, developed and led by experienced industry professionals, provided comprehensive, hands-on training to around 150 participants nationally in 2024. Sixteen courses have been run across Victoria, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory, with ten courses rolled out in Queensland alone.
The three-day micro-credential courses cover essential areas of tour guiding, including customer service, interpretive skills, safety protocols, and how to create immersive and engaging experiences for tourists. They also emphasise the importance of cultural sensitivity, environmental responsibility, and the unique tourism offerings that Australia is known for.
The program’s success comes at a critical time for Australia’s tourism sector, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Approximately 94% of participants expressed either strong satisfaction or satisfaction with the course content, while nearly 89% recommended the course to a colleague or friend,” reported Birgitta March, the lead course content writer.
One of the key challenges faced by the industry is the need for more high-quality tour guides. This skills gap has left many tourism operators struggling to provide exceptional experiences, which risks impacting Australia’s global reputation as a premier tourist destination.
Through its partnership with the Queensland Government’s Tourism Capability Program, Tour Guides Australia has been able to address this issue directly. The program is building a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals by offering training courses tailored to meet the needs of both new entrants and experienced guides looking to upskill.
These courses provide tour guides with the tools to deliver world-class service and contribute to the overall growth and success of the tourism industry.
“We are thrilled with the results of this initiative and its positive impact on the tourism workforce. Tour guides are essential to the visitor experience, and these courses equip them with the skills needed to excel in this rewarding profession,” said Greg Esnouf, President of Tour Guides Australia.
The Tour Guiding Fundamentals courses are part of Tour Guides Australia’s broader strategy to professionalise the industry and help Australia maintain its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
Greg mentions, “With the support of the tourism industry, state governments support, and regional tourism organisations, we are ensuring that our industry is well-prepared for the future, with a skilled and dynamic workforce ready to meet the demands of a growing tourism market.”
In 2025, Tour Guides Australia plans to run courses in every state to support further the tourism industry and national strategies such as the THRIVE 2030 Visitor Economy Recovery Strategy.
For more information about Tour Guides Australia and the Tour Guiding Fundamentals courses, please visit www.tga.org.au/training
